Photo credit:
Marisa Ai Ishimatsu
Common name
San Lucan Speckled Rattlesnake
Scientific name
Crotalus mitchelli mitchelli
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Federal and State Protections
Range Map
Countries of Occurrence
Mexico
Adult size
90cm (35in) - 136.7cm (53.8in), varies depending on island/mainland populations
States or Providence
Baja California, Santa Margarita, Cerralvo, Espiritu Santo, San Jose, Monserrate, Carmen
Counties
Species Description
This beautiful medium-sized rattlesnake occurs in Baja California Sur and some surrounding islands. The San Lucan rattlesnake lives in arid scrub-like and rocky habitat. Its venom has neurotoxic components, and they likely primarily consume small mammals such as rodents. Related subspecies occur on nearby islands and exhibit insular gigantism and dwarfism which correlates to island size and age.
Fun fact: The San Lucan rattlesnake subspecies was named after Silas Weir Mitchell, a renowned American physician and father of medical neurology. He worked with snake venoms as well.